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Kenneth J. Baltes

January 28, 1936 ~ January 31, 2018 (age 82)

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Kenneth John Baltes of Destin, Florida passed away on January 31, 2018 at the age of 82. He was born on January 28, 1936 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Harold Richard Baltes and Margaret Mary Flammang Baltes. He was a loving family man who treasured those who remain as his legacy. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Thomas and the mother of his children, Janet Johnson Baltes. He is survived by his wife Dorothea; his daughters and their spouses Mrs. Kelly (Jerry) Davis of Park Hill, Oklahoma, Mrs. Julie (Dan) Truckenbrod of Coronado, California and Mrs. Kristi (Rex) Whiteside of Houston, Texas; his grandchildren: Kyle and his wife Darya Kent; Connor Kent; Hannah Truckenbrod; Madison Whiteside; and Grant Whiteside; his great grandson Christian Kent; and, his sister Gerry Baltes Barko of Winter Park, Florida.

A graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology, he was a life-long Sooner fan. He worked as a petroleum geologist from 1959 to 1963 and joined Oklahoma Gas and Electric in 1963. Ken began his career with OG&E as a commercial sales consultant, was promoted into executive leadership positions and retired in 1998 as Vice President and Region Manager, Eastern Region. He proudly served his country in the US Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Throughout his career, he was determined to give back to the communities in which he lived, including as a member of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in both Muskogee, Oklahoma and Fort Smith, Arkansas and serving as President of the Muskogee United Way

His life in Destin was centered around the things he loved—the beach and fishing and golf with his “gaggle” at Eglin. He also volunteered for several years with the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation at the Festival of the Arts.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: the Take Stock in Children Program of the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation, 120 Lowery Place SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; the Clayton Dabney Foundation at http://www.claytondabney.org (Clayton Dabney for Kids with Cancer, 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 3175, Houston, Texas 77046); or the American Cancer Society.

Those who knew Ken are asked to join his family at a Graveside service to be held at the Destin Memorial Cemetery on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 2:00 PM.